Flash Flooding and Flood in Texas, July 25 to 26, 2004

A large complex of thunderstorms erupted over southeastern Pecos County, northeastern Brewster County, and much of Terrell County during the pre-dawn hours Sunday. Terrell County received the heaviest rainfall, with KMAF 88D Doppler radar estimates that totaled seven to nine inches over rural portions of north-central Terrell County between 03:00 and 12:00 CST. Widespread and damaging flash flood conditions resulted across the west Texas Lower Trans Pecos. This heavy rainfall and its associated runoff produced flash flooding along Dry Creek and Independence Creek. Local officials reported that a wall of water that measured eighteen feet in height propagated down Dry Creek in the pre-dawn hours. The debris-filled flood waters severely damaged a bridge on State Highway 349 twenty-five miles north-northeast of Dryden. By midday an earthen and concrete embankment on the north end of the bridge was washed away, and the structure was cracked in several locations. Only a single concrete pillar and a thin layer of asphalt prevented a complete collapse. In addition to the extensive damage sustained to the bridge, large segments of State Highway 349 also were washed away between the intersection of Farm to Market Road 2400 and Dry Creek as water rushed through low lying areas and small tributaries. Stretches of pavement measuring 100 feet in length were stripped away. At 16:20 CST local officials reported more than three feet of water flowing over Big Canyon Bridge fifteen miles north of Dryden. Later reports indicated that the bridge did not sustain significant structural damage.Raging flood waters also deposited huge mounds of mud and gravel up to four feet deep over the highway. With a lull in thunderstorm activity during the mid afternoon, flash flooding along State Highway 349 generally receded by 15:00 CST. Road crews worked for days to remove the vast amount of debris and damage that resulted from the flood waters.

Flash flooding impeded operations at the Terrell County Gas Plant Sunday morning when employees became stranded due to water that flowed through the plant's secondary road network. At 06:00 CST plant workers reported a rainfall measurement of 4.50 inches. Heavy rain continued to fall at the plant through early afternoon.

Heavy rainfall farther north over eastern Pecos County resulted in a crest of twenty feet along the Pecos River just east of Sheffield around 06:00 CST. This crest combined with the continuation of heavy rainfall caused extensive flash flooding in rural areas east and southeast of the city. Shortly before 16:00 CST travelers on Interstate 10 witnessed a pickup truck and a camper trailer floating beneath the Pecos River bridge. A search downstream by local authorities ensued, but many rural location across along the river were inaccessible due to extensive flooding. It was later determined that the pickup and camper trailer were swept into the Pecos River by flash flooding on the Pecos River Ranch near Sheffield. The vehicle and trailer were vacant when they were overtaken by raging flood waters, and were ultimately found many miles down river near the Rio Grande. Several head of cattle also were killed in the flood waters.

The first of two flash floods along the Pecos River in northeastern Terrell County occurred just before sunrise. Runoff from the Dry Creek flood that damaged State Highway 349 emptied into the Pecos River from the lower portion of Independence Creek. The Chandler Ranch headquarters, located in a flood plain adjacent to the merger of Independence Creek and the Pecos River, sustained serious damage. Ranch residents described a large "wall" of water that swept through the flood plain and inundated the headquarters. Large trees were uprooted by the currents. A swimming pool was destroyed by debris carried in the raging water. Several structures, including a permanent residence, were severely damaged. Damage to the headquarters was aggravated by a second significant flood wave that propagated down the Pecos and produced another round of flash flooding on the grounds late Sunday evening.

Flood waters from the swollen Dry Creek isolated thirteen workers from the Grey Wolf Drilling Company. The men were stranded on an "island" for almost thirty-six hours at an oil well site twenty-two miles northeast of Dryden. A helicopter rescue was attempted around 14:00 CST Sunday, but adverse weather conditions restricted rescue operations. The workers were not seriously injured when they walked to safety around 15:00 CST on Monday, July 26th. Minor flood damage to oil field equipment occurred.

Flash flooding along Independence Creek inundated the intersection of State Highway 349 and Farm to Market Road 2400 in northern Terrell County. A local newspaper reported that flood waters stranded a pair of motorists at the intersection. Emergency crews from Iraan (Pecos County) responded and conducted swift water rescues to bring the couple to safety. Dangerous flash flood conditions along Independence Creek, Farm to Market Road 2400 and its intersection with State Highway 349 corresponded to a flood wave measured along the creek at the Chandler Ranch, several miles east-southeast of the intersection. At 09:45 CST a gauge registered a crest of eighteen feet. Independence Creek empties into the Pecos River on the northeast side of the Chandler Ranch property. The ranch headquarters suffered severe damage as a series of waves swept down the Pecos River and produced flash flooding of low lying areas. Following the rescue of stranded motorists, emergency officials closed Farm to Market Road 2400 and State Highway 349 south of Sheffield. Water along Farm to Market Road 2400 began to recede shortly after 18:00 CST. State Highway 349 remained closed for an extended period of time due to extensive damage along Dry Creek. Texas Department of Transportation crews worked for several days to remove large pieces of vegetation and other debris from the highways.

State Highway 349 was closed from Sheffield south into Terrell County after Pecos County emergency officials successfully rescued motorists from flood waters near the intersection of Farm to Market Road 2400. Intermittent flash flooding along the route also made travel hazardous across Pecos County.

Law enforcement officials from Sanderson reported intermittent flash flooding that inundated U.S. Highway 90 from Sanderson to the Pecos County line.

Local officials reported at least one stranded vehicle inundated by flood waters on U.S. Highway 90 near the Longfellow Ranch headquarters. Emergency officials conducted a high water rescue to retrieve the motorists from the stalled car.

Flash flooding along U.S. Highway 285 rendered that highway impassable in Pecos County. Local officials reported intermittent flood waters that inundated the route at several locations from Fort Stockton to the Terrell County line.

A second wave of convection developed over the Lower Trans Pecos region Sunday evening. The additional rain combined with the saturated conditions and standing water to quickly result in another round of flash flooding. The Chandler Ranch headquarters was impacted by a second large flood wave that propagated down the Pecos River and produced flash flooding. This event damaged several structures, including the foundation of a primary ranch residence which was cracked by the force of the flood waters. No injuries were reported.